Top Prospects of 2002
- Hank Blalock, 3B: Damn fine player.
- Josh Beckett, RHP: Great when healthy.
- Sean Burroughs, 3B: Has hit for average, but no power. Somewhat disappointing.
- Carlos Pena, 1B: Hee Seop Choi of the American League.
- Wilson Betemit, SS: Still developing, somewhat disappointing but still has a chance.
- Dennis Tankersley, RHP: Undone by control problems and off-field issues.
- Mark Teixeira, 3B: Damn fine player.
- Juan Cruz, RHP: Has pitched very well at times, when his command is on.
- Mark Prior, RHP: Outstanding pitcher when healthy.
- Nick Johnson, 1B: Plagued with injuries.
- Mike Cuddyer, 3B: Solid player, not a star.
- Austin Kearns, OF: Hitting version of Mark Prior.
- Angel Berroa, SS: 2003 Rookie of the Year, otherwise erratic.
- Jake Peavy, RHP: Great when healthy.
- Kelly Johnson, SS: Bat stagnated, now an outfielder, still a prospect but not like he used to be.
- Adrian Gonzalez, 1B: Looks like a pretty solid line drive hitter for the long run.
- Hee Seop Choi, 1B: The National League Carlos Pena.
- Gabe Gross, OF: Got hot this spring.
- Brandon Claussen, LHP: Injuries sapped his fastball.
- Boof Bonser, RHP: In Triple-A, has lost some luster but still a prospect.
- Joe Borchard, OF: The Drew Henson of outfielders.
- Jayson Werth, C: Role player.
- Ben Broussard, 1B: Dangerous power from the left side, but erratic.
- Joe Mauer, C: Excellent. It looks like his knee is holding up.
- Rafael Soriano, RHP: Injuries.
- Jeff Heaverlo, RHP: Injuries.
- Corwin Malone, LHP: Injuries, control problems.
- Brandon Phillips, SS: Looks bad right now. Certainly not the Barry Larkin-type many (including me) expected.
- Jose Miguel Cabrera, SS: Excellent.
- Chin-Feng Chen, OF: Faded in Triple-A. Lost his speed, became a one-dimensional slugger.
- Dewon Brazelton, RHP: Should be an adequate pitcher, not a star.
- Drew Henson, 3B: Football bust.
- Kenny Baugh, RHP: Got hurt, still a prospect but not as good as before.
- Justin Morneau, 1B: Impressive young power hitter, Kent Hrbek without the beer belly.
- John Buck, C: Erratic hitter, but should hold his job.
- Chris Burke, 2B: Should be a fine, fine player.
- Jimmy Journell, RHP: Injuries.
- Xavier Nady, 1B: Could be breaking through this year.
- Adam Wainwright, RHP: Injuries last year, still a prospect.
- Chris Snelling, OF: Plays great when healthy, but never healthy.
- Morgan Ensberg, 3B: See prospect retrospective.
- Carlos Hernandez, LHP: Has pitched OK at times, erratic. An average pitcher.
- Brad Thomas, LHP: Erratic, has had injury problems.
- Aaron Heilman, RHP: Big disappointment, still has a chance.
- Jose Reyes, SS: Good young player.
- Marlon Byrd, OF: Very erratic, great in '03 but bad in '04.
- Seung Song, RHP: Problems with durability, still trying.
- John-Ford Griffin, OF: Disappointing for both statheads and traditionalists, has not developed as expected.
- Kurt Ainsworth, RHP: Slagged his arm.
- Abraham Nunez the Outfielder, OF: Age-Gate.
In the big picture, we don't know exactly how most of these guys will pan out, since this list was generated just three years ago. Burroughs could look a lot better if he develops more power.
The weirdest oddity is Juan Cruz ranking one slot ahead of Mark Prior. I remember spending a lot of time trying to decide who to rank higher. I loved Prior coming out of college, but he signed late and there was no professional data to work with. I ultimately went with what I thought was the "safer" choice, picking the guy with pro experience over the one without. It looks silly now.
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